Long-haul routes continue to grow dramatically, 20.3% on February 2016 and helping to create a 6% cargo increase. Destinations likely benefitting from passengers booking a Valentine’s break included Dubai, the airport’s most popular long-haul destination in the month with 76,965 passengers visiting and 8% on February 2016. Other destinations also likely benefiting from the Valentine’s effect included St Lucia (52%), New York (66%) and Paris (77%). Los Angeles was 90%, on the same time last year, with Gatwick passengers to shortly have even more options for travel to America’s West Coast as British Airways start their new route to Oakland, San Francisco, this month. Skiing destinations performed well in February with Geneva Gatwick’s most popular European destination in the month with 109,500 passengers visiting, 5% on February 2016. This was joined by Innsbrook 9% and Genoble 8% on the same month last year. Gatwick Airport, Chief Executive Officer, Stewart Wingate said: “Gatwick’s February passenger figures demonstrate the confidence we are witnessing from our passengers, with travel still high priority following the Brexit referendum, with passenger numbers 10% on February 2016. “Our booming long-haul growth, reflects our passengers’ response to our established and growing line-up of long-haul destinations. In the next three weeks alone British Airways start their new route to Oakland, San Francisco and Virgin Atlantic to Varadero, Cuba. Meanwhile, Cathay Pacific’s existing route to Hong Kong will be going daily this summer. “Our long-haul growth is driving the natural corresponding cargo increase, this month 6%, which is joined by strong growth in Gatwick’s regional connections across Britain, demonstrating Gatwick’s vital economic role both within Britain and internationally, as we continue to offer the UK Government a credible and deliverable option for runway expansion.”